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I’m a white wine with ice type of girl, but when I host a Christmas dinner party, I like to serve guests a drink when they first arrive. The drinks I make are always simple so my scattered brain can remember the proportions without having to look at my recipes over and over again. This cocktail is beautiful and easy to make.

Around the holidays I enjoy hosting fun dinner parties for close friends. Past menus have included beef tenderloin with blue cheese sauce, fresh linguine pasta with sage brown butter, vodka pasta, decadent chocolate cakes, and creme brulés. Each year the menu changes but it is always a fun time full of laughing and good food.

To make this drink ahead of time, I fill a pitcher of the drink and then pour one serving into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake for 30 seconds. For a dinner party, I also serve nonalcoholic options that look festive. Read below for a great alcohol-free version of this cocktail.

This stunning cocktail has a simple garnish. Use one rosemary sprig and shave off the bottom stem into a point and slide two fresh cranberries on the end. Make the garnish ahead of time to make serving multiple drinks simple. Another garnish idea would be a fresh lime wedge. For Christmas season I love the earthy woodsy smell of rosemary.

Ingredients

Here is what you need:

-Cranberry Vodka-such as Deep Eddys

-Orange Liquor

-Pomegranate Juice

-Lime Juice

-Cranberry Juice

-Garnish (rosemary sprig and fresh cranberries)

-Ice

This is a cobbler shaker which is three pieces- A shaking container, built in strainer, and cap. I found this for about ten dollars at Homegoods. I love the cheat sheet recipes on the side.

Shaking Techniques

  • Shake 15-30 seconds to make sure a everything gets cold.
  • Fill the shaker with ice before you pour the drink in.
  • Be sure to have a tight seal on the cap so it does not overflow!
  • Shake one beverage at a time and serve as needed. Make the beverage in a pitcher before dinner to save time and relieve any unneeded prep when your guests arrive.

Garnish

How cute is the cocktail garnish? It is a rosemary spig. Shave down the ends with a pairing knife and push two or three fresh cranberries on the bottom. No Need for a cocktail stirrer. For unique and fun cocktails visit my friend’s instagram called Wisecraft Mixology.

Fresh lime juice or bottled?

Ideally, the best flavor is fresh squeezed citrus for cocktails. If I make one or two cocktails, I often use fresh limes. For a crowd or a dinner party, I like to use organic bottled lime juice. You will not notice the difference, and I would rather use my prep time setting a cool table, cleaning, and prepping the food courses. I recommend Lakewood Organic.

Triple Sec vs. Orange Liqueur

I see these often and get them mixed up. So, triple sec is a type of orange liquor. You can usually interchange them.

Spirit Free Spritz

Here is a simple recipe to make a similar drink without alcohol. Combine ingredients below and stir. Serve over ice and garnish with rosemary sprig and cranberries.

  • 4 oz. cranberry juice
  • 4 oz. ginger ale
  • 2 oz. pomegranate juice
  • 1 oz. lime juice

FAQ

Can I use any type of vodka?

Yes, you do not need to use cranberry infused vodka, but I do like the added punch of flavor it gives to the cocktail.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, use the recipe as a guideline and make a pitcher before your dinner party. Then, shake each drink and serve as needed.

Christmas Cocktail

5
(1)
by Katie Heath
A wintery beverage to start your festive feast
Servings: 6 drinks
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
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Equipment

  • 1 pitcher
  • 1 cocktail shaker

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups cranberry vodka, such as Deep Eddys
  • 1 cup orange liquor
  • 1 cup cranberry juice, such as Simply Cranberry
  • 1/2 cup pomegranate juice, such as Pom Wonderful
  • 1/2 cup lime juice

Garnish:

  • 6 fresh rosemary sprigs
  • 12 fresh cranberries

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients into a large pitcher. Store covered in refrigerator.
  • When ready to serve, fill a cocktail glass with ice. Next, fill a cockatil shaker with ice. Pour 6 oz. beverage into the shaker. Fasten the top firmly and shake vigorously for 15-30 seconds. You will feel the outside of the shaker getting cold.
  • Take the cap off and pour drink through strainer directly into cocktail glass. Repeat for remaining cocktails. Refill ice into cocktail shaker as needed before each drink.

Notes

Katie’s Tips:
-If you feel this is too strong, you can reduce the amount of vodka to 1 1/2 cups. 
-This will get better as it sits as all the flavors combine. I like to make the pitcher as one of my first tasks on a dinner party prep to do list.
-What type of glass? Honestly, I just use what I think looks cool. I don’t worry about correct glasses for correct cocktails. 
-If you make cocktails often, consider buying one of these fun ice block makers. They make ice in fun square or circle blocks. Use distilled water to make the ice clear and not appear cloudy. 
Made it? Tag @katieskitchencounter on Instagram. I’d love to see!